Use 1. To reprove a Popish opinion, that no man can know whether Christ abide in him or no. But why doth St. John then say, Hereby we know? and he speaks to old men, young men, and babes, to try themselves. These men condemn the whole generation of the just. Such a woman as cannot tell her child who is his Father, is a strumpet, and so is the Church of Rome.

Ʋse 1. To reprove a Popish opinion, that no man can know whether Christ abide in him or no. But why doth St. John then say, Hereby we know? and he speaks to old men, young men, and babes, to try themselves. These men condemn the whole generation of the just. Such a woman as cannot tell her child who is his Father, is a strumpet, and so is the Church of Rome.

2. It reproves others that think it impossible. Some think it not worth the knowing, others think it not meet to know whether Christ abide in them or no; such have no care to make their calling and election sure. But St. John saith, 'tis possible, and a thing worthy the seeking after, and also very expedient.

3. This should exhort all Christians to try and examine themselves, whether they are in the faith or no, 2 Cor. 13.5. Know ye not. He speaks of such as have lived long under a faithful Ministry. It is an evil sign; Either know that Christ is in you, or be not satisfied.

3. This should exhort all Christians to try and examine themselves, whether they are in the faith or no, 2 Cor. 13.5. Know ye not. He speaks of such as have lived long under a faithful Ministery. It is an evill signe; Either know that Christ is in you, or be not satisfied.

5. Comfort to Gods servants, that give up their hearts and lives to God, which have laid their salvation not on a sandy but sound ground, which have built it upon divine testimony, even the Spirit of God, which is a divine Spirit.

1 JOHN Chap. IV. Vers. 1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false Prophets are gone out into the world.

This Chapter consists of two parts; 1. A preservative against false Teachers, to verse 6. 2. A renewed exhortation to Brotherly love.

THis Chapter consists of two parts; 1. A preservative against false Teachers, to verse 6. 2. A renewed exhortation to Brotherly love.

The argument falls by the way on the trial of spirits, for he had said, Thereby shall you know that Christ abideth in you, by the spirit that he hath given you. Now lest the people of God should be deceived by the spirits of their Ministers; he bids them therefore to try their spirits: and that by the Spirit which Christ hath given them, For he which is spiritual discerneth all things, 1 Cor. 2.15.

The argument fals by the way on the tryal of spirits, for he had said, Thereby shall you know that Christ abideth in you, by the spirit that he hath given you. Now lest the people of God should be deceived by the spirits of their Ministers; he bids them therefore to try their spirits: and that by the Spirit which Christ hath given them, For he which is spiritual discerneth all things, 1 Cor. 2.15.

These words are an Exhortation to the people of God, how to order themselves towards the spirits of their Ministers; which exhortation is laid down, 1. Negatively, Believe not. 2. Affirmatively, But try the spirits.

The negative duty and affirmative, are both confirmed by an argument taken from the multitude of false Teachers, There are many false Prophets gone out into the world, which shows he speaks chiefly of the trial of their Ministers, or else you may be deceived in your judgement; as if a friend should bid his friend take heed what piece of gold he takes, because there are many slips and counterfeits gone abroad. In that St. John bids his hearers not to believe every spirit, hence observe;

The negative duty and affirmative, are both confirmed by an argument taken from the multitude of false Teachers, There are many false Prophets gone out into the world, which shews he speaks chiefly of the tryal of their Ministers, or else you may be deceived in your judgement; as if a friend should bid his friend take heed what piece of gold he takes, because there are many slips and counterfeits gone abroad. In that St. John bids his hearers not to believe every spirit, hence observe;

Doct. That every Minister is carried away with one spirit or other; or else why doth St. John exhort them to try the spirits?

Doct. That every Minister is carryed away with one spirit or other; or else why doth St. John exhort them to try the spirits?

He speaks of ordinary Prophets, such are subject to the judgement of the people, 1 Cor. 14.23. as for Paul, he was an extraordinary Prophet, 1 Cor. 4.3. What is meant by Prophecy?

He speaks of ordinary Prophets, such are subject to the judgement of the people, 1 Cor. 14.23. as for Paul, he was an extraordinary Prophet, 1 Cor. 4.3. What is meant by Prophesie?

Such as a man may attain to by use, hence Ministers are called Prophets: they were wont to foretell sundry things to come, look what they speak on earth is confirmed in heaven; though they cannot foretell things besides the Scripture, yet they may things out of the Scripture; so that you may see that God is in them of a truth. Every good Prophet so far as he prophesieth according to God, is carried by the holy Ghost: but when he doth not speak according to God, he is carried with an evil spirit, Numb. 11.25.26. 1 Sam. 18.10. an evil spirit came upon Saul, so that every Prophet prophesieth either by the Spirit of God, or by a wicked spirit; an evil man may sometimes prophesy well, and then it is by the spirit of God, it is a spirit that comes upon them; as ⟨p. 282⟩Balaam, Numb. Ch. 23. & 24 a good man is ordinarily led by the Spirit of God, but sometimes he is transported by an evil spirit, and then he speaks not by the Spirit of God, he perverts the Word, and he misseth the text and application of it. Peter he will tell our Saviour, this thing shall not be unto thee, Mat 16 22. what saith Christ to him? vers. 23. Get thee behind me Satan; There is not the worst debauched Minister, but when he comes to preach, one spirit or other comes upon him, therefore well doth St. John say, Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits.

Such as a man may attain to by use, hence Ministers are called Prophets: they were wont to foretel sundry things to come, look what they speak on earth is confirmed in heaven; though they cannot foretell things besides the Scripture, yet they may things out of the Scripture; so that you may see that God is in them of a truth. Every good Prophet so far as he prophesieth according to God, is carryed by the holy Ghost: but when he doth not speak according to God, he is carryed with an evill spirit, Numb. 11.25.26. 1 Sam. 18.10. an evil spirit came upon Saul, so that every Prophet prophesieth either by the Spirit of God, or by a wicked spirit; an evill man may sometimes prophesie well, and then it is by the spirit of God, it is a spirit that comes upon them; as

What is the spirit of the Prophets?

1 Thess. 5.23. There are three things in a man, body, soul, and spirit; the soul of a man is the breath of God, by which he is made a living creature; by the spirit of a man here is meant, the inclination of the mind, which is called a spirit in divers places, as a spirit of fornication, a spirit of slumber, a spirit of jealousy, every good or evil inclination is called a spirit, Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, Ephes. 4.23. that is, the disposition of your minds. What is the reason some are more just, some are more painful then others? the good or evil spirit comes upon them.

1 Thess. 5.23. There are three things in a man, body, soul, and spirit; the soul of a man is the breath of God, by which he is made a living creature; by the spirit of a man here is meant, the inclination of the mind, which is called a spirit in divers places, as a spirit of fornication, a spirit of slumber, a spirit of jealousie, every good or evill inclination is called a spirit, Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, Ephes. 4.23. that is, the disposition of your mindes. What is the reason some are more just, some are more painfull then others? the good or evill spirit comes upon them.

Why is thy inclination called a spirit?